Tag Archives: Prima-class

Norwegian Shifts Viva to PortMiami, Cancels Puerto Rico Season

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Norwegian Shifts Viva to PortMiami, Cancels Puerto Rico Season

Norwegian Cruise Line will redeploy the Norwegian Viva to PortMiami for the 2027-28 winter season, cancelling the Prima-class ship’s previously planned Southern Caribbean cruises from Puerto Rico.

In a notice sent to guests, Norwegian advised that all itineraries the Norwegian Viva was set to operate from San Juan between late 2027 and early 2028 have been cancelled. The 2023-built vessel will instead offer getaway cruises to the Bahamas, joining the remainder of the company’s PortMiami-based fleet.

“We are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking our guests to some of the most coveted destinations in the world,” Norwegian stated.

“Although we try to maintain original itineraries as much as possible, modifications are occasionally made to optimize voyages due to changes in port availability,” the company continued.

Guests affected by the cancellation will receive a full refund within 30 business days, in addition to a ten percent Future Cruise Credit (FCC). Norwegian said the FCC is being offered as a token of appreciation for guests’ patience and can be used for sailings departing through 2027.

For those wishing to explore other options from San Juan, the company said it will offer similar alternatives onboard the Norwegian Prima, which will continue to operate round-trip itineraries through the Southern Caribbean.

“These itineraries include many of the same highly requested destinations, as well as the same convenient and accessible departure point you originally chose,” Norwegian said.

The company also noted that the Prima and the Viva are sister ships and offer the “same high-quality amenities and experiences.”

From PortMiami, the Norwegian Viva will sail getaway cruises to Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas, which is currently undergoing a major enhancement project that includes the construction of a ship pier.

“At NCL’s premier destination, our guests will get to enjoy ‘The Great Life’ in a completely new way,” the company explained.

“These recent improvements include the Great Life Lagoon, a large pool area with two aquatic bars, as well as the Vibe Shore Club, an adults-only area,” Norwegian stated.

The company also highlighted its new Great Tides waterpark, which is scheduled to open on the private island this September. Norwegian said the attraction will feature 19 water slides, in addition to a dynamic river, water features and more.

“Everything was designed to make your shore stay just as memorable as your experience onboard,” the company added.

The Norwegian Viva had originally been scheduled to sail from San Juan every Sunday between November and April, joining the Norwegian Prima for seven-night cruises to destinations such as Aruba and Curaçao.

In addition to the Norwegian Viva, the Norwegian Aura, the Norwegian Luna, the Norwegian Jewel, the Norwegian Gem and the Norwegian Joy are scheduled to sail from PortMiami in 2027-28.

As the newest and largest ships in Norwegian’s fleet, the Aura and the Luna will offer weeklong voyages to the Western and Eastern Caribbean. The Jewel and the Gem will operate a series of theme charter cruises, in addition to longer ten- and 11-night itineraries to the Southern Caribbean and Central America.

Completing the company’s lineup in South Florida, the Joy will offer three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas.

Saint John Welcomes Unscheduled Visit from Norwegian Aqua

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Saint John Welcomes Unscheduled Visit from Norwegian Aqua

Saint John in Canada welcomed the new Norwegian Aqua for an unscheduled visit earlier this week.

Initially set to visit Bermuda, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship was diverted to the port due to the impact of Hurricane Erin.

“It was a beautiful sunny day, and guests were in good spirits despite not being at the port they signed up for,” Natalie Allaby, Port Saint John’s director of cruise, marketing and engagement, told Cruise Industry News.

“Days like yesterday remind us of how our cruise sector was born back in September of 1989: a hurricane diversion from an NYC cruise destined for Bermuda that came our way instead,” she continued.

The first cruise ship to visit Saint John was the Cunard Princess, which arrived at the port in Canada’s Bay of Fundy due to a diversion caused by Hurricane Gabrielle.

“We hope we can be of assistance should any additional diversions need to occur during the 2025 hurricane season,” Allaby added.

The call also marked the first visit of a Prima-class ship to Saint John, she added, noting that the port is happy to accommodate unscheduled calls.

After departing from New York City, the Norwegian Aqua made its inaugural visit to Saint John on Aug. 20, 2025.

The visit was part of a four-night cruise that also marked the ship’s debut in NYC and the Canada and New England region.

Initially set to include an overnight call at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda, the itinerary was adjusted due to Hurricane Erin.

In a statement sent to guests onboard, Norwegian said that the change was necessary to allow the ship to “steer clear” of the storm and forecasted rough weather.

While the Norwegian Aqua is not scheduled to make additional visits to Saint John, the port is set to welcome other vessels from the company, including the Norwegian Getaway and the Norwegian Gem.

Norwegian Prima: Top 5 Unique Features

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Ushering a new era for Norwegian Cruise Line, the Norwegian Prima debuted earlier this year.

First, in a series of six new cruise ships, the 142,000-ton vessel is equipped with several new features, such as the ocean’s largest go-kart racetrack and an upscale food marketplace.

Cruise Industry News selected five of the ship’s most unique attributes.

Indulge Food Hall

The Prima boasts what Norwegian Cruise Line calls its first “upscale food hall”.

Partly located on the ship’s external promenade, Ocean Boulevard, the venue features a marketplace that offers diverse menu items from a variety of 11 different culinary options. Three full-service restaurants are also located in the adjacencies, Onda by Scarpetta, Los Lobos, and The Local Bar & Grill.

 The Haven

The Haven by Norwegian is returning on the Prima, offering the brand’s biggest and most exclusive ship-within-a-ship suite complex. Spanning eight decks of suites and public areas, it is accessible via private elevators and located aft of the ship for the very first time.

According to Norwegian, the area was designed to be more open to the sea than ever before with every public area offering ocean views. Other reimagined areas are the sundeck, which now offers a new infinity pool overlooking the ship’s wake, and a new outdoor spa, with a glass-walled sauna and cold room.

Prima Speedway

The Prima is also bringing back one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s most famous signature features, the go-kart racetrack.

According to the company, the Prima Speedway “will up the ante,” with the largest and first-ever three-level racetrack. Featuring a longer straightaway with a course of 420 meters in length, the speedway will go around and through the funnel of the ship and boasts 14 turns where 15 drivers can simultaneously race on the open ocean, reaching speeds of more than 50km/h.

Transformational Theater

Described by Norwegian as a “groundbreaking transformational theatre,” the ship’s showroom will double down as a nightclub.

The three-story venue, designed to seamlessly convert the space from a state-of-the-art performance stage to an expansive dance floor, will feature a customizable seating layout and moving LED screens that lower from the ceiling and are nearly half the size of the venue.

The Drop

Another unique feature of the vessel is The Drop. According to Norwegian, the attraction is the world’s first freefall dry slide where users will experience a 10-story plunge while reaching the highest G-forces of any cruise line.

Located on the side of the ship, the attraction also features duelling dry slides known as The Rush.